Through the Gospel the Father called us, / in order to obtain the glory / of our Lord Jesus Christ***

 

Through the Gospel the Father called us, / in order to obtain the glory / of our Lord Jesus Christ*** The value of prayer does not lie in the number of words we say nor in the noise we make with them. True Christian prayer is inspired by the Spirit, springs from our love for God and leads us to the practice of justice. Let us examine ourselves on the quality of our prayers. First Reading: Romans 8:26-30 Reading of Saint Paul's letter to the Romans – Brothers, 26the Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness. For we do not know what to ask nor how to ask; It is the Spirit himself who intercedes on our behalf, with ineffable groans. 27And he who penetrates the depths of the heart knows what the intention of the Spirit is. For it is always according to God that the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints. 28We know that everything works for the good of those who love God, of those who are called to salvation, according to God's plan. 29For those whom God has always looked upon with his love, he predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among a multitude of brothers. 30And those whom God predestined, he also called. And those whom he called, he also made righteous; and those whom he made righteous, he also glorified. - Word of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm: 12(13) Lord, I trusted in your grace! 1. Look, Lord, my God, and answer me! † Don't let the light go out from my eyes / and they close, by death, asleep! / May the enemy not tell me: “I have triumphed!” / Nor let the oppressor rejoice at my fall. – R. 2. Since I trusted in your love, † my heart, for your help, rejoice, / and may I sing to you for the good you did for me! – R. Gospel: Luke 13,22-30 Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. Through the Gospel the Father called us, / in order to attain the glory / of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess 2,14). – R. Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke – At that time, 22Jesus passed through cities and towns, teaching and continuing on the way to Jerusalem. 23Someone asked him, “Lord, is it true that few are saved?” Jesus replied: 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow gate. Because I tell you that many will try to enter and will not be able to. 25Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you, standing outside, will begin knocking, saying, 'Lord, open the door for us!' He will answer, 'I don't know where you are from.' 26Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank before you, and you taught in our streets!’ 27But he will answer, ‘I don’t know where you are from. Get away from me, all you who practice unrighteousness!’ 28There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, together with all the prophets, in the Kingdom of God and you, however, being thrown out. 29Men will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and will take a seat at the table in the Kingdom of God. 30And so there are last who will be first and first who will be last.” – Word of salvation. Reflection: Are there many who are saved? The question perhaps arises from someone with the mentality of a “collector” of good works, like the Pharisees. These believe that they guarantee their own salvation by accumulating, on their CV, a good number of works pleasing to God. Jesus tries to correct this way of thinking. He says that many will present themselves with the credentials of those who saw Jesus speak in the squares and even had a meal with him, as good friends. Nobody be fooled. Make an effort to enter. The door is small and difficult: a warning to Christians who trust and boast of fulfilling the precepts of the Church (masses, sacraments, prayers), but are unable to live in peace with their family and drag endless hatred throughout their lives. Those who practice justice and charity are saved.